It is 1909 when a major labor conflict flares up in Sweden. The workers at the wool factory Yllan in Kristianstad are forced to leave work by a lockout and soon a major strike is a fact. When everything is put to the test, loyalties, friendships and family ties are tested.

Märta is back att the wool factory after the mistake that almost got her killed. The dreams of becoming an artist still remain, but the rent must be paid and when she suddenly finds herself without work, the future looks bleak. At the same time, her heart beats for Alfred, the man she will never be able to have.

Elvira is the factory's most skilled weaver. She wants nothing more than to be allowed to work in peace. Her close relationship with the foreman Johan puts her in a difficult position when the strike breaks out. Her suspicion grows towards the newcomer Hanna, who seems to be carrying dark secrets.

Despite conflicts and difficult living conditions, new friendships and love sprout in the late summer air. And it turns out that nothing stops Yllan's sisters...

Part 2 in The Wool Factory Series

Reviews:

"Ambitious and well-crafted feel-good story" - Torun Börtz, Ystads Allehanda

"A novel that is both heart-wrenching and heartwarming." - BTJ library services no 17 2026

"This is the second installment in the story of the sisters at the Yllan textile mill in Kristianstad. I found it deeply engaging, profound, and full of hope.

It is a story about daring to dream big, friendship, and love during the first half of the 20th century.

Sturesson is a truly skilled writer; her work is rich in detail, featuring beautiful descriptions of the setting, and the extensive research she conducted shines through the entire narrative. Bravo!

The year is 1909, and a nationwide strike is affecting Yllan. A lockout is in effect, and no one is allowed to work. Yet, this doesn't stop Märta and Klara from starting to sew clothes—using stolen fabric, no less. But the question remains: who is the major thief stealing from the factory?
Elvira sets out to unravel this mystery, all while sharing a lovely friendship with the foreman, Johan—a situation that places her in a difficult position.

We are also introduced to a new character, Hanna, who harbors dark secrets of her own.

Amidst the turmoil of the strike, the characters drift apart; will they manage to preserve their friendships, and might romance blossom between some of them?

This novel really appealed to me!
Sturesson has mastered the art of writing historical fiction in a way that is both beautiful and compelling." - aswedishbooklover